Pages

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Thomas Beatie Gives Birth To Healthy Girl

When Thomas Beatie first announced to the world that he was pregnant it set off a social storm regarding gender identity. He very bravely went on the widely watched Oprah Winfrey show to tell his story. Though he faced a vicious backlash, I am happy today to report that he successfully gave birth to a healthy baby girl.

What we can learn from this story, is that gender does not have to be limited to the male/female modernist binary that we have conceptualized; indeed gender is fluid and subject to change at the desire of the individual. It is my fervent wish, that this little girl will not have to deal with the bigotry, and trans hate that her parents have faced. Though people who are transgender deal with many instances of violence, and abuse in our society, it is my hope that we will begin to accept a more open definition of gender, because the future happiness, and safety of our children depends on it.

THanks Julie I looked bluelinchpin but I couldn't find any and I think that her image should be protected anyway. When you think about how her parents were treated the less people that know what she looks like the better.

The picture of Thomas Beatie pregnant makes me deeply uncomfortable. I can come up with no rational reason for this discomfort. The ethos that I try to instill in myself makes me want to say "congratulations" and "what a good story." But the picture unnerves me.

Thank you for helping me notice this discomfort, and the distance between this discomfort and who I wish I could be.

Bigotry is difficult to escape, conversion an always ongoing process. I'm still - at least at an emotional level - a slave to my cultural conditioning.

So let me say "congratulations" to the new parents, until I really mean it, without reservation, without discomfort, without irrational fear.

And let me say "thank you" for helping me catch bigotry when it creeps up in me.

How is brave for her (not a typo, I believe she was born female) to go on Oprah and beg for attention? How about the fact that the attention seeking of this lady has intensified the possibility that the child will not be left alone? It is so sick that a person can be so self-involved that he or in this case, she would thrust a child into the spotlight in order to get some fame!

Sam I am a big believer of free speech but I cannot support trans hate. Thomas identifies as male and therefore he is male. Gender is indeed fluid and had you read any queer theory you might have a better understanding of this. He is certainly not mentally ill because he chose to align his physical body with gender that he felt that he was. It is people like you that it make it difficult for trans people to have any kind of peace and happiness in their lives. Why are you so disturbed by Thomas? How he chooses to live his life has no effect on you? You will never meet him or have to interact with him.

Perhaps it would be easier to tolerate perverted choices if the perverted person making the perverted choice did not thrust herself into the spotlight, (or did you forget that she went on Oprah?)As she forced her way into the spotlight and has others defending her behavior, she is aiding the decay of the fabric of society, the natural family. How can you deny nature? You have a natural family, yourself, yet you seem not to see the benefit of a natural family.

Once again Thomas is a He He is not at all perverted and you have yet to explain exactly why you have this hatred towards him. It simply is illogical to hate someone for their personal choices when those choices in no way effect your life. When he went on Oprah he raised the visibility on some issues that trans people must deal with everyday. They suffer from a high degree of violent crime. When they are murdered their deaths are often ignored and not investigated. Does anyone deserve to have to pay for their choices with their lives? I think not. The idea is for us to recognize our common humanity. I don't see Thomas as derailing the family. BTW the patriarchal family could use a shake up, it really has not benefited women all that much anyway.

Definitely іmagine that whіch you stated.Yоuг fаvoгite reason аppearеԁ to be at the net thе ѕimplest thing to be mindful of. I say to you, I definitеly get irked whіle peοple consideг concerns that they јust do not recognizе about.

You controlled to hіt thе nail uρon the highеst anԁ defineԁ οut the whole thing with no need sidе-effects , peоple could take а signаl.Will likеly be bаck to get more. Thanks

Intense Debate Comments

About Me

I am the mother of two darling little boys that fill my life with hope. They have inspired me to help raise awareness of the issues that plague this little blue planet.
If you are looking for a blog that is all about how wonderful and rosy this world is, turn right because this space will not be for you. I am a committed humanist. I believe in the value of people over commodities. I believe in the human right to food, clothing, shelter, and education. I am pacifist, anti-racist, WOC. My truth may not be your truth, but I intend to speak it nonetheless.
Please feel free to direct questions or commentary womanistmusings@gmail.com